Pieter Jordaan is the Chief Technology Officer for TUI Group and is responsible for technology strategy, transformation, platform design and innovation across all of TUI Group, it’s holiday products and the groups technology platforms. Pieter has over 20 year’s experience in IT leadership and transformation ranging from Financial Services, Insurance, Logistics and Travel. He is experienced in Global Transformation programs especially with regards to cloud adoption, digitalisation and industry disruption relating to AI.

Ambitious Corporate Director of Information Technologies and hands-on IT Manager with 15+ years of experience working with the latest technologies, within large worldwide corporate information systems structures. Multi-disciplined and conversant with all aspects of design, delivery, co-ordination, estimation and management of assigned projects. Works well under pressure and dedicated to providing maximum efficiency on tight budgets, using company’s assets to their fullest. A committed team player with an excellent commercial approach and problem-solving skills. Experienced with $ 2m+ budgets, strict timelines, works within process limitations.

Essam El Hawary is the Head of Sales for Sub-Sharan Africa, he drives the Network Infrastructure sales all-over the Middle East & Africa region at Hoist Group and he has over 23 years of experience in the hospitality technology space. He regularly engages with hotels of all sizes helping them leverage technology to outsmart their competitors. Essam has a wide range of network solution experience gained during his career path in different sides of business round table (Customer, Vendor and Service Provider) he utilizes this experience delivering the best fit solution for his clients.

Highly motivated, hands-on hotels management, professional bringing more than 27 years’ experience of successfully developing top-notch new hotel properties; provides the highest quality of customer satisfaction and delivers first-rate business and operations management. Demonstrates the ability to exceed profit targets, cost effectively develop new projects, quickly turnaround existing properties, effectively and positively manages and motivates culturally diversified staff, maximizes productivity and efficiently controls costs. Keeps good relationship with Hotels owners and develops transparency in handling them. Leads with Vision and implement with strategy seeking productivity and profitability at high levels.

C.S. Ramachandran (Ram) serves as Vice President, Hotel Revenue Optimization for South Asia, Middle East, Africa & Australasia for Preferred Hotels & Resorts. In this role, he helps the hotels maximize the effectiveness of their online distribution channels and optimize revenue through better revenue strategies. Ram has over 22 years of rich expertise in hotel management, the majority of which has been dedicated to revenue management and digital marketing. He also is a member of the Revenue Management Advisory board for HSMAI Asia Pacific.

With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry across different countries, Nathan currently leads a team that is responsible for building and maintaining Cvent partnerships across APAC, Middle East and Africa. Daily work engulfs him in strategizing, analyzing reports, training and mentoring. He has conducted over 100 seminars for events and hospitality professionals, and has represented Cvent in multiple trade shows across various continents. Apart from being at Work, Nathan enjoys travelling, driving and playing squash.

Dr Ioannis PAPPAS, CEO & Co-Founder of GREEN EVOLUTION SA, is Director for Mediterranean Region of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). He is a Mechanical Engineer, with PhD in Applied Mechanics, with over 29 years experience in several fields of science, focusing in Sustainability for Tourism, Energy and Environmental Efficiency in Infrastructure and Buildings, Advising in standardization of companies and technological implementation of climate adaptation and mitigation methodologies. He is Lead GSTC Assessor for Destinations, Auditor / Assessor for Sustainable Tourism Certification Standards, focusing in Hotels, Tour Operators and Destinations, and Lead Trainer for GSTC in South East Europe Region. Finally, he is the head expert of GSTC team on the Collaboration Contract between GSTC & the Greek Ministry of Tourism on the implementation of Sustainability into the new National Tourism Strategy.

Eric has been involved in the hospitality industry since 2000 enjoying a successful global sales and management career spanning Guestroom Telephones & HSIA at TELEDEX, Operational Software at FCS, Revenue Management at Duetto, and Guest Facing technologies at NEVOTEK. In 2020 Eric decided the time was right to set up his own business with a focus on Recruitment and Consultancy in the Hospitality Vertical, “This was something I felt was missing – a single resource for employers to find experienced candidates, and a single place for candidates looking for these roles.

Cuthbert is a seasoned Tourism Executive and has held leadership positions within International and Regional Organizations. His mandate at the African Tourism Board is to leverage strategic relationships in the industry and beyond to unify Africa’s efforts in positioning herself as a Tourism destination powerhouse. In recognition to his contribution to promoting and restoring Africa’s tourism Post Covid 19,Cuthbert has recently been adorned with the coveted “Heroes of Tourism” Award; an award given by Tourism Experts and endorsed by Global Tourism Security Expert, Peter Tarlow. Cuthbert has had the honor to share his knowledge in the tourism industry as a Guest Speaker at various Local, Regional & International Conferences. A passionate humanitarian, Cuthbert is involved in several community development initiatives in his personal capacity, and enjoys music and a spot of gardening during his free time.

Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the leisure, travel & tourism industry. Sherin Francis is skilled in Negotiation, Customer Service, Business Development, Marketing Strategy, and Public Speaking. A strong business development professional with an MSC Finance focused in Finance and Financial Management Services from the University of London. Her first degree is in economics. Prior to joining the Seychelles Tourism Board, Mrs Francis has also headed the Seychelles Investment Board for four years whereby she has been instrumental in broadening the marketing arm of the board and raised Seychelles’ profile internationally as an investment destination. During her tenure at the Tourism Board, a position which she is still currently serving, together with her team, she has been instrumental in championing the digital revolution in marketing at the board amongst other achievements. She believes in the power of teamwork

Enver’s current focus as CEO of Cape Town Tourism is to work alongside his team and the stakeholders of Cape Town Tourism (including more than 1000 signed-up members), and use innovation and agility to work towards recovery of the destination during the global COVID-19 pandemic. He is passionate about Cape Town, not only because it is his home town, but because of its blend of natural beauty, rich history and diverse cultures. His vision is to peel back the layers that make Cape Town what it is today - a thriving metropolis at the tipping point of the African continent, recognized as a global challenger through tourism.

Out-of-the-box technology strategist with a 360° background of the hospitality sector in EMEA & North America and a more recent involvement in the blockchain world, Guilain Denisselle has over 30 years’ experience of hospitality operations, sales, marketing, distribution and technology. Over his consulting activities, he has helped numerous hotel groups, technology vendors and investment funds grow their business. He founded www.tendancehotellerie.fr in 2009, a French speaking webzine dedicated to the hospitality community. Over his volunteer engagements, he has contributed to hotel technology evangelization for more than 15 years.

An accomplished, business savvy Group Chief Information Officer of a luxury group of hotels leading a team of 25 people internationally. Endowed with a strong track record in successfully developing and implementing innovative business solutions in hospitality and banking, he is currently advising the board of directors on the current trend of technology, safeguarding IT governance while leading key technological decisions for the group. An experienced leader and a valuable colleague, leading, building and participating in high performing multi-disciplinary teams. Occasional speaker at Hospitality and Technology conferences worldwide. Finalist at the SuperNova Awards, by Constellation Research, for successfully introducing disruptive technologies in the company.

Krista obtained a Bachelor of Hospitality at Leeuwarden Hotelschool in The Netherlands, after discovering a love for hospitality as a waitress in her teens. Having gained valuable experience in London, including at the legendary Dorchester, Krista relocated to South Africa, first joining the team at Kievits Kroon Country Estate before moving to Azura Retreats, looking after Sales and Marketing for 8 years. Krista joined the team at the award-winning Saxon in 2019.

Leed Hospitality was created by Mrs Laetitia GNASSINGBE, a worldwide renowned expert in the hotel and tourism industry. She fluently speaks four different languages ​​(French, English, Spanish and German) and is currently based in Alsace on the Switzerland border. Graduated from the Saint Quentin en Yvelines Hotel and Tourism School, having 19 years of experience internationally at all levels in her field. She is an expert in Management, marketing, operation, concept creations, and hotels renovation. Laetita has been hotel Manager at several hotels in Africa and Switzerland. She is Azalai hotels Group Board Member. Her company Leed Hospitality operates in Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. The company provide Hotel Management Consulting, trainings, recruitment and Management contracts to hotels.

Jean Byamugisha is the first female CEO as well as the youngest CEO in the history of Uganda Hotel Owners Association, the only trade association for the Hotel Sector in Uganda. With over 600 member hotels, UHOA is the biggest as well as one of the oldest private sector Associations in Uganda’s tourism sector.. She has also been recognized as one of the 20 Best performing CEOs in Uganda in a survey carried out in December 2018. She was voted among the top 100 women in Tourism in Africa in 2017 as well as one of Uganda’s Top 40 CEO’s under 40 in 2018.

Grace is currently a General Manager at Protea by Marriott. Previously, Director of Human Resources with 30 years Senior Management experience with the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. She brings expert knowledge, skills and guidance to the industry to achieve goals and success. She specialises in hospitality workforce strategies: Staff Retention or Re-structuring which is much needed during post COVID 19 new Normal working environments. She has held different positions as General Manager, Human Resources, Food and Beverage, Rooms (Operations), Procurement and many more. Grace provides excellent training services for the Hospitality industry, recruitment and retention of staff.

A HR professional with 12 years of experience, mostly in luxury brands in Hospitality. Thinking of ‘talent’ and ‘culture’, Mbithe comes to mind as a true believer and advocate of both-placing passionate and talented people forward and providing them with the tools, guidance and momentum to drive a company’s vision forward. A super Transformer for the Accor Brand in the MEA region, Mbithe puts people first and cultivates a culture of inclusivity, collaboration and accountability. She holds an Executive MBA and Bachelor of Commerce. She is a member of SHRM(US), Institute of Human Resources(Kenya), represents Fairmont Hotels at the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers(KAHC) and sits in the Joint Industrial Council which handles Industry grievances.

CD is an Executive, Business and Life Coach that, after a 22-year hospitality career has turned his passion into his purpose and launched 34 Coaching, his Neuro-Science based coaching venture. CD spent his hospitality career around the world working with The Ritz-Carlton, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels, Tsogo Sun and the Emirates Group, specializing in opening flagship properties and helping to organize events such as the Dubai Rugby Sevens. With the extreme pressure in hospitality, CD used his coaching techniques to bring out the full potential in his staff and groomed them for future leadership positions utilizing various Neuroscience techniques. CD has a full-time coaching practice and is an International Coaching Federation certified coach. He partners with executives, entrepreneurs and forward thinkers to achieve goals and bring about positive behavioral change.

A Visionary leader, with valuable experience gained over 30 years in the hospitality industry. Has managed hotels in the luxury, leisure, games and resorts space. Has a Executive MBA from York St. John’s University, UK and is Hospitality graduate from IHM Bangalore, India with post-graduation in hotel management from ITC Welcomgroup School of Hotel Management, New Delhi. Has experience of Group roles and managed Starwood’s Luxury collections hotels, Sheraton and other brands. With immense knowledge in re-branding and renovating hotels, pre-opening/ greenfield projects, has the ability to motivate a workforce and have in-depth understanding of a multi-faceted business operation. Effective management and delegation, communication and negotiation, PR and presentation skills, Strong financial acumen, planning and forecasting, in depth knowledge of markets and changing business environments, complex problem solving, effective decision making are other strong traits.

Mr Nduku has designed and implemented a range of projects from Offices, Educational Facilities, Health Facilities, Warehouse and Factories to Personal Homes. Under the leadership of Mr. Nduku, NN Architects has grown into a well-known architectural firm in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, with head office in East London and a branch in Mthatha and one in Cape Town. NN Architects has covered a number of different projects; small and large.

Waleed Salhieh is the Senior Regional Sales Manager at Hoist Group. I have over 17 years of experience in the hospitality technology segment. I regularly engage with hotels of all sizes helping them leverage tech to outsmart their competitors.